2013 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

The newest 911 convertible does it all, just like before, but better.

Gran Canaria, Spain—a mostly barren rock that floats just west of North Africa. This is where Porsche has decided to set free its convertible version of the all-new (991) 911. A wise move giving journalists the keys to such a sublime automobile, yet trapping them on an island at the same time. I'd considered building a raft and setting the car and me adrift but Porsche was a step ahead, having chosen an island mostly devoid of anything that floats, like trees.

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2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

Having given up on absconding with any one of the Carrera or Carrera S models available to drive I divvied up my time on the island and tried to drive them all; PDK, 7-Speed manual, Carrera S, and base 911—all of them cabriolets. Each was different; some had the sublime Burmester Audio, some PCCB (Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes), some PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control). But this is all old news, as the coupe 911 debuted just months ago. There is little fundamental difference between the coupe and the convertible, but there is one obvious difference, the retractable top, and it's not simply the old top on the new car. Like every other aspect of the 911, it's an evolution and improvement, this cabriolet being more like the coupe than ever before.

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

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The basics of 911 Cabrio ownership are this. The 2013 911 weighs 3042 lb and has an MSRP of $82,100. To step that purchase up to a drop top will cost $11,600 more and add 155 pounds. The extra mass comes from chassis reinforcements to counter resonant frequencies, the new top mechanism and the addition of an automatic wind deflector. The chassis is stiff, and without a roof, it's still stiff. There is only a faint tremor of cowl shake on the bumpiest of roads. (We found some decently creviced roads to jar our vision, and still the cowl remained fully composed.)

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

A team of engineers labored over the top, their objective being to make it no heavier than its predecessor, yet making sure it fit in the same 21.7 x 9.1 in. box, and most importantly making it look as much like a coupe with the top up as possible. Which shouldn't be too hard as the predecessor was already good. But honestly with the top up the new 911 Cabrio looks like a coupe with a landau top. Up close, though, and the slight fluctuations in the canvas' curves reveal the minimal number of locations lacking metal backing. Run your hand over it and chances are you'll not find a soft spot. There are only a few specific locations where a would-be thief might get a knife through, and fewer still where a hand might be inserted, but no arm is getting in. This is because the roof's previous narrow bows are now full-size panels. Large flat diecast magnesium panels add solidity, but keep the weight the same as the old ribs. From the windscreen to the backlight, the roof is a solid interlinking set of magnesium puzzle pieces. When up, it gives a near perfect silhouette and a superbly solid roof that's quieted by a multiple layers of cloth and insulation. Top up there is no sense from the passenger compartment that it's a Cabriolet: It's quiet, warm and produces absolutely no buffeting or whistling. It seems so close to being a solid retractable hardtop, we asked why it isn't. The answer was because Porsche's research has showed them that owners want people to know they have a convertible, and you need the cloth to do that. But there are other advantages, like the lack of part lines with the fabric. A retractable hard top of this fashion would have black lines at every panel joint and take up more space when collapsed.

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

The ability to raise or lower the top in 13 seconds, even while traveling at low speeds, means finding shelter from the cold and the rain at an intersection or stoplight is effortless. And unlike before where the wind deflector had to be removed from the trunk, unfolded and installed over the rear seats, the 991 has an integrated wind deflector that folds away with the push of a button. Trick stuff. Porsche wants us sun worshipers to get the best of both worlds, and with this newest 911 Cabriolet we do.

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